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The goal of this expedition is simple: to help experts reconstruct the complex past of Populonia as fully as possible.

Help excavate the ancient seaside city of Populonia, once a center of metalworking and trade. Your team will focus on one of two fascinating sites:

Teams 1, 2, and 3 will work in the Etruscan cemetery of San Cerbone and the early Roman section of Populonia. The tombs in San Cerbone were long ago buried beneath iron slag heaps, and misguided excavators at the beginning of the 20th century partially destroyed many tombs when they tried to dig them up with machinery. Your work is key to preserving a site that might otherwise be lost.

Teams 4 (the Teen Team), 5, and 6 will work between the remaining walls of a Roman villa on Poggio del Molino (Windmill Hill), overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The villa was built at the start of the 1st century A.D., when the main city of Populonia was mysteriously abandoned. People continued to live at the villa, though, until the end of the 5th century, so it is one of the few existing sources of information from this time period.

Live the life of a professional archaeologist as you unearth artifacts, then clean and study them. You might also try rebuilding original objects from the fragments you’ve discovered. You’ll have an unparalleled chance to get close to Italy’s ancient past.

For hundreds of years, Populonia dominated the ironworks industry in the Mediterranean. The transfer of the city from Etruscan to Roman rule around 250 B.C. did not halt its metalworking activities; iron exports supported the Roman expansion in Africa, so the ruling class had important economic interests in the area’s industrial production and commerce.

To reconstruct the economic and social history of the city of Populonia, researchers must answer many complicated questions: When and where did iron smelting take place? How was the society of the city shaped by metalworking and trade? Who were the ancient people that lived and worked in the harbor, the mines, and the iron smelting industry?

Unearth artifacts and remove them for cleaning and study.

By joining this expedition, you’ll help fill in gaps in knowledge about the Populonia area from the Etruscan period (beginning in 800 B.C.) through the Roman period (beginning at about 250 to 200 B.C.) and up to the early Middle Ages (A.D. 600). The results will illuminate how the Etruscan and Roman economies operated and how the Romans exploited the natural resources of the territories they ruled. We still know little about the political, economic, architectural, and religious changes brought by the arrival of Romans in this part of the Tuscan coast—and your work will help us fill in the gaps and communicate to the public why sites like this are worth preserving.

About the research area

Welcome to Tuscany, famous for its stunning scenery, food, and wine. The research site overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea, with a view of the Isle of Elba. Although many tourists make Populonia and its environs their destination today, the area still maintains authentic Tuscan traditions.

It also boasts a number of natural attractions. The Rimigliano Park, a strip of luxuriant coastal Mediterranean vegetation, abuts the research site. You’ll also be near the World Wildlife Fund reserve of Orti Bottagone, an important habitat for wild birds and amphibians.

Many towns that date from the Middle Ages dot the area, most of which are known for their traditional festivals, excellent food (especially game such as wild boar), and wine. Populonia’s location makes it an ideal jumping-off point for visits to Pisa, Florence, and other cities if you decide to spend time in Italy before or after the project.

Baratti and Populonia Archaeological Park, Piombino, Tuscany, Italy

Daily life in the field

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet the team and travel to accommodations, welcome presentation

Days 2–6: Daily activity includes:

• Excavations

• Cataloging artifacts

• Mapping excavation sites

Day 7: Departure for volunteers on seven-day teams

Continued schedule for 13-day teams:

Days 7–12: Excavation and other research tasks; you’ll also have one full recreational day to visit some of Populonia’s other archaeological attractions

Day 13: Departure

Most days will begin with a morning briefing, and then you’ll head out the excavation site, where you will:

Excavate artifacts. You'll spend most of your time removing the earth around objects with trowels, brushes, and other tools.

Mapping excavation sites. To help record the layout the excavations and where objects have been uncovered, you will help draw features of the site.

Record and analyze artifacts. Help clean and catalog the finds you make, and analyze the source and age of stones used as building materials.

Conserve and preserve artifacts. When you find bits of pottery, you'll try to reconstruct the original vessel. You'll also draw and do some basic conservation of building decorations, such as mosaics.

Those who join the 13-day teams will have a free day to explore some of the many archaeological wonders of the area, with expert researchers as their guides. They’ll visit the striking necropolis of Le Grotte, which dates from the fourth century B.C., with its underground Hellenistic-age chamber tombs. After a picnic lunch, the team may stop at the Archaeological Museum of the Territory of Populonia in the town of Piombino. In the evening, the team will enjoy authentic pizza in a local restaurant.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

MODERATE

Join expert archaeologists as they excavate some of the most important Roman sites in Italy.

ABOUT Carolina Megale

MEET THE OTHER SCIENTISTS

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations and Food

Can reserve single room (for extra fee)

Can reserve couples' room (no extra fee)

On-site laundry

Home-cooked Italian food

You’ll stay in comfortable, modern apartments in the quiet village of Populonia Stazione. The shared bedrooms have twin beds, and the apartments will vary in size depending on how big the team is. You’ll make your own breakfast in the well-equipped kitchen every morning, and in the evenings staff members will treat you to home-cooked Italian dinners. You’re welcome to help out and try your hand at some of these authentic recipes.

The team will eat lunch at a local café, which offers free wifi. From the accommodations, you’re a very short walk to the charming center of Populonia Stazione, where you can visit a bakery, a pizzeria, and two small grocery stores.

“This excavation was one of the most significant experiences of my life. And I will return for the fourth time! ”

This was the third time I participated in this expedition. Each time, I am amazed at how fully I was able to participate as if I were a trained archaeologist. The work was hard but so incredibly rewarding. The archaeologists in charge are absolutely wonderful, gifted, and dedicated individuals. The organization of this expedition is exceptional, due to the skills of all involved in setting it up and managing the work and the activities of the volunteers. The itinerary was so varied and we learned so many aspects of the history surrounding this site and its people. I am already planning to return next year. And, did I mention the food prepared for us was absolutely fabulous!

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Marie Koski|Tuesday, June 16, 2015

“Unearthing Ancient History in Tuscany and Making New Friends!”

We so enjoyed our Unearthing Ancient History in Tuscany excursion last year that my husband and I decided to go back for another week this year. Our experiences this year, in addition to excavating, included learning how to examine and interpret the area where we were working, documenting, and providing input as to what we were looking at and how it related to what was already known about the site. We were not just digging, we were working as archaeologists. We received instruction from an anthropological archeologist on methods for cleaning and identifying bones, and learned and applied cleaning techniques for artifacts that were going into a museum that will open in June. We often said during our week, “I can not believe we are holding something this old!” The work can be strenuous, but as the old saying goes, ‘it was a good tired’. Each evening, after a hard day’s work, we were treated to a great home cooked meal and entertaining conversations with the other participants as well as the archeological staff. Managers of the project, Carolina and Stefano, made a point of understanding each team member’s interests and abilities to help maximize their experience. They did an excellent job of teaching and involving Team members in the project and process. We enjoyed the passion they shared as archaeologists for the project.

We truly have developed a personal connection with this project and expect to return again next year on this excursion.

Marie & John Koski

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Rene Perreault|Wednesday, November 05, 2014

“A beautiful start to Earthwatch expeditions and to archeology...”

This was our first Earthwatch expedition: an archeological "dig" near Populonia Stazione (Livorno), Italy. We had never worked with an archeologist before, but the guidance we received from Carolina (and her staff) allowed us to quickly learn the rudiments of hand-based excavation - the use of the pick-ax to loosen the earth without over-exertion; and quick sweeping with a whisk in parallel strokes that gradually removed dirt to expose any items of interest - pottery shards, bones, glass, metal fragments, etc. This methodical approach allows precise recording of the location of items within a grid-work and identified strata (layer) of soil. Repetitive work to be sure, but enjoyable as we worked our way down, occasionally retrieving items of interest that were catalogued and set aside for further study. Heavy rain on workday 3 meant we had to move from the field to a lab for an alternate activity. For us, it was examining and cleaning human bones, some quite charred, that were recovered in an urn discovered when municipal roadwork cut through an area near an ancient cemetery. Guided by a forensic anthropologist (part of Carolina's team) we gently washed the bones to remove dirt and ash; once dry we would try to assemble the skeleton and determine its gender. This we did the next day. Our last full workday (day 5 on the site) saw us clear the previous layer completely. We enjoyed our brief intro to archeology, and were sorry that we hadn't signed on for the 2nd week.

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Marie Koski|Tuesday, October 21, 2014

“A retirement gift to myself”

As part of celebrating my retirement, my husband and I decided to take a trip. A friend of the family with connections to Earthwatch had been encouraging us to try one of their expeditions. The archeological dig in Tuscany fit into our calendar and a trip to Italy sounded pretty nice! We prefer vacations that keep us active and the thought of getting down and dirty did not bother us. I called to inquire and from the first call to the very end of the expedition, everything was handled well and everyone I had contact with was pleasant and helpful. Once we arrived at the town we would be staying in, we met the other volunteers, then went to dinner and met the other staff members. There was no question in our minds- we had made a good choice. Without a doubt, it was hard work, time on our knees cleaning and sweeping, looking for roof tiles, pottery pieces and trying to find the floor below the collapsed roof and walls. When we weren't on our knees, we were moving dirt and stones from the site or swinging a pick ax, which was actually rather relaxing. The staff included 3 graduate students from the University of Florence and a specialist in analyzing old bones, also from the University. They were all more than willing to explain what we were looking for and at. And, we were in Italy, so you know we were fed well- coffee break, lunch and dinner! We so enjoyed it, we are hoping to return next year.

P.S. - we also took time to visit Florence and Pisa

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Walta (Bonnie) Bonnet|Wednesday, July 02, 2014

“Ancient History in Tuscany”

Having done a couple of expeditions on Roman sites I was looking for something new ....and certainly lucked out when I signed up for the Tuscany one at the Necropolis site at San Cerbone. The site itself was a wonderland, located across the street from the Bay of Baratti, with the prviously excavated Etruscan mound tombs, dating back to the 7th century BCE , and the "newer" sarcophagi from the 6th centuryBCE , continuing on down the hill was awesome.

During the week of actual work , cleaning up the site for the first couple of days ...we were the first group after the end of last season's work, gave us a chance to get a clear view of the layout of the area and the progression of the ensuing years work. We finally got down to the "good" stuff and made progress .....finding a lot of pottery and trying to make sense of the known locations of burial sites.and intersecting roads....I wish I had volunteered for two weeks , instead of one, as it was just starting to make sense. I will be returning in Sept. for 2 weeks.....can hardly wait to see what has been accomplished since May.

During the week we had many school groups , on class trips, stop by to watch....it was great to interact with them and for them to practice there English and in turn for us to attempt to explain just what we were doing.

The accommodations were first rate , one of the best I've seen. The local Project staff was exceptional.....very welcoming and helpful...Thanks to Carolina and Stefano for their expertise and kindness .....will see y'all in Sept.

Looking forward to returning....Bonnie Bonnet

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Jennifer Lauer|Friday, February 07, 2014

“Lovely dig in Italy”

I participated in the "Excavating Italy's Ancient Etruscan Coast" expedition, the first year it was offered. It was very well-organized: Carolina, the lead scientist on site, had done an excellent job of arranging for everything. The work was hard but enjoyable--I spent that team uncovering part of a mosaic--and the field lectures were interesting. I learned a lot about the different types of pottery, and the firing mechanisms that caused the different colors and textures.

The accommodations were good, and the food was excellent, provided by a local chef friend of hers. We took turns helping cook and clean for dinner. Breakfast was food in our apartment units.

Laundry onsite was very helpful, considering the amount of mud I picked up.

Even though this expedition was in its first year when I was there, they were clearly used to volunteers and students, and had organized things well for them. In particular, they had the best-organize safety presentation of any expedition I've been on. I know that's not something you usually notice, but this was remarkable because it was so good and comprehensive.